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April 14, 2011

Taxes suck. We pay them at every turn. Seems like everyone it taking a piece of us no matter what we do. Income tax, sales tax, property tax, and even a death tax! And when we look at it that way, sure, TAXES ARE EVIL.

But what are taxes for? Why do we tax in the first place if we have a government for the people by the people? Why not just get rid of taxes all together? Is it because of the evil greedy politicians?

Of course not. We tax because we all want a “common good”. The common good in the greater sense is that our country is protected. Our way of life is protected. It’s no accident military spending is such a large part of the federal budget. What does the “common good” include? That’s the debate and the fundamental difference between Republicans and Democrats.

The “common good” changes over time. The better things get, the more “common good” we want. It never goes the other way around. In that view, the government and taxes can only grow larger year after year until one day all income is taxed and the government takes care of everything. Democrats greatest fear is zero taxes and no “common good” and Republicans greatest fear 100% taxes and no freedom.

We need to be mindful of both extremes. BUT, can we really know if taxing income over $250k another 3% is too close the the Republicans greatest fear? Can we know if lowering taxes further will mean greater prosperity?

I have a problem with absolutes. There are no sure fire answers. We have to remember we’re starting from right now and not starting from scratch. We are not conducting scientific experiments where we can make this change or that change and expect an outcome. We lowered taxes 40 years ago and we were prosperous. That doesn’t mean it’ll work today. Sure, we can and should look back but anyone certain of the future is kidding themselves.

The highest income tax bracket took 92% at one point and we changed it. We are constantly fine tuning taxes to meet the balance between the common good and personal freedom and we will never be done. Can we come up with something better than “you can’t tax your way out of a deficit” and “tax the rich more, they can afford it!”?

Sheldon

No country, has ever taxed its’ citizens into prosperity. Even the Pharohs knew that lowering taxes increased prosperity.
Punishing the successful Americans by taxing them at a higher rate than the less successful, sends a message that being a non-performer in society reaps rewards.
To redistribute the money of the higher earners is commonly known as Marxism. It has never worked.
Our current President and Senate are determined to create classes and class warfare, blissfully unaware that history repeats itself, and they are following the econmics of third world dictatorships.
One way to help reduce the deficit is to stop spending and printing money.

Dear John. If you knew anything about what is “commonly known as Marxism” you would not spew that utter nonsense. Marxism does not concern itself with taxes on higher earners. It aims to remove means of production from private property altogether. Read a bloody book sometime.

As for taxes, I believe there should be flat income tax, and luxury tax. If one wishes to have more than generously necessary for happy existence, one is free to do so, but must pay for a privilege of gobbling up the resources to do so.